Contraceptive Choices Among Women In Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims/Objective: To study the choice of contraceptive usage and the factors responsible for such choices in northern Nigeria.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

Subjects: New clients attending the reproductive health centre.

Main outcome measures: Choice of contraceptive, reason for choice, knowledge and source of knowledge about contraceptives.

Results: Four hundred and eighteen clients were interviewed. Three hundred and seventy two (89%) knew at least one method of contraception; 50.7% used injectable contraceptives, 22.5% intrauterine contraceptive devices, 13.9% Norplant and 10.3% oral contraceptive pills. One hundred and forty four (34.5%) were referred by midwives and 25.6% by other nurses.

Conclusions: The most commonly used contraceptive in our environment is the injectable method.


Keywords: Contraceptive choice, source of knowledge, referral

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 10 (3) 2007 pp. 205-207